Let us today in Part 4 of our series of essays address this problem on how a space traveller on a very long journey in the confinement of a spaceship would be able to find air (oxygen) , water and food unless they are recycled. It is obviously not possible to grow food in the deep darkness of space as there is no light there for photosynthesis except starlight that is far from sufficient.
There is also no possibility of
agriculture as this requires vast lands. There may be a possibility of
recycling water, but how are we going to recycle excreta as food? This is
revolting and psychologically unacceptable even if possible. Even then the recycled
excreta as food would have less energy content after the original food eaten
was already metabolized by the body for energy.
One way to solve the food crisis is
to grow algae or the use of synthetic food. Again, this requires a lot of light
and energy. Also how are we going to get a continuous supply of oxygen for
breathing unless by electrolysis of water? But this will yield hydrogen as
well. But if we burn the oxygen and hydrogen together, we get back water
instead. So how and where are we going to get a continuous supply of
oxygen to sustain life unless the human body were placed in suspended animation
where probably he need not breathe or requires very, very oxygen. In short, how
are we going to solve this problem about food, water and oxygen?
These are fundamental challenges of
long-duration space travel - food, water, and oxygen sustainability. Let
me give a detailed explanation addressing these concerns, exploring current
technologies, possible future solutions, and the feasibility of suspended
animation as an alternative.
Sustaining Life in Long-Duration
Space Travel - Challenges and Solutions:
One of the greatest challenges for
space travellers on a prolonged journey is food supply. Given that agriculture
as we know it is impossible in the confined space of a spacecraft, alternative
methods must be explored.
Recycling Organic Waste:
While recycling food from human
waste is theoretically possible, it is not psychologically acceptable and is
energetically inefficient. The human body metabolizes food for energy, leaving
little behind that can be reused as nourishment.
Algae Cultivation:
Algae such as Spirulina and
Chlorella can be cultivated in controlled environments with minimal resources.
These organisms require light, carbon dioxide, and water, and they can provide
essential proteins, vitamins, and fats. Artificial LED lighting could be used
in place of sunlight to facilitate photosynthesis, though it would require an
energy source.
Synthetic Food Production:
Advancements in biotechnology allow
for the synthesis of food from bacteria and fungi, such as single-cell proteins
(e.g., mycoproteins). These require minimal resources and can be grown in
bioreactors. Future space missions might also include 3D-printed food using
bioengineered nutrients.
Water Supply and water recycling:
Water is a critical resource, and
recycling is essential to maintain a continuous supply.
NASA’s Environmental Control and
Life Support System (ECLSS) on the International Space Station already recycles
urine, sweat, and wastewater through a filtration and purification system. This
technology will be crucial for extended space travel.
Extraction of Water from Asteroids:
Some asteroids contain water ice,
which could be mined and purified for drinking and oxygen production.
Oxygen Supply:
A continuous supply of oxygen is
essential for human survival in space. Several methods have been proposed:
Electrolysis of Water:
Splitting water molecules (H₂O) into
hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis is a viable way to produce breathable
oxygen. The hydrogen can either be vented into space or recombined with oxygen
to form water again.
Algae and Plant Oxygen Production:
Photosynthetic organisms, such as
algae and plants, naturally absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
Closed-loop bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) could utilize this
natural cycle.
Oxygen Harvesting from Lunar or
Martian Regolith:
Research suggests that lunar and
Martian soil contain oxygen in the form of metal oxides, which could be
extracted through chemical reduction.
Suspended Animation as an
Alternative:
If sustaining life for long journeys
proves too difficult, an alternative could be placing astronauts in suspended
animation (hibernation-like states). This would drastically reduce oxygen,
food, and water requirements. Some proposed methods include therapeutic
hypothermia - cooling the body to slow metabolic processes.
Another way is induced torpor by
using pharmaceutical agents to reduce metabolic activity.
Conclusion
Sustaining human life in deep space
requires a combination of advanced recycling technologies, alternative food
production methods, and possibly even hibernation techniques. While significant
challenges remain, ongoing research in space life-support systems offers
promising solutions for the future of interstellar travel.
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